Wallaces Hut
Photo above courtesy of Gary Duncan © 2004. Multiple images below by G Gale.
Known as Wallaces Hut or Seldom Seen Hut.
Located near Wallace Gap on the Bogong High Plains.
From Falls Creek follow the sealed Bogong High Plains Road around Rocky Valley Lake to the signed Wallaces Hut car park, approximately 7.7–8 km beyond the dam wall. Walk down the formed gravel trail for about 700–750 m each way (1.4–1.5 km return).
The longer Wallaces Heritage Trail links the hut with Cope Hut and the aqueduct tracks, approximately 6–6.5 km as a circuit. Road access beyond Falls Creek is seasonal; winter visits require an alpine ski or walking approach.
Brief History
This is the oldest complete structure in the Alpine National Park, being built in 1889 by the Wallace brothers, Arthur, William and Stewart from snow gum slabs and woollybutt shingles.
The SEC added the shed and corrugated iron about 1946.
The nearest hut of similar age is Horsehair, but it has been re-built.
David and Henrietta Wallace held the lease from 1869 and their sons later. The National Trust classified the hut in 1967, and the Rover Scouts of Victoria have continued to maintain it for some decades.
Construction
The hut is large and measures 4.5m by 3.7m. It consists of a pole frame with snow gum slabs and slabs for the floor. Pole framed chimney and some insulation.
Many changes have occurred including new windows since 1931, so it probably saw just as many changes prior to that.
Caretakers - Parks Victoria and the National Trust.
References
Hueneke Pp153 - 157, 245
G. Butler 1996 Pp329-333.
Magnussen Pp149 - 151.
Mapping Guidance;
GPS: approximately 36.89656°S, 147.30718°E.
UTM Zone 55H: 527369 m E, 5916558 m N (WGS84). Approximate VHCHA mapped position.
